Vanwith benefits
You know what this is... it’s the formula Volkswagen applied to the Transporter van to create the California, upscaled to the Crafter. The Grand California. Name a bit pretentious? Show us a camper van badge that isn’t. Speaking of pretentious, Volkswagen says that, with its white cabinets and flooring that apes a teak deck, the design of the Grand Cali was inspired by luxury yachts. Of course it was. Most things are. The headline news, however, is a toilet. And a shower. Because this has them, and the regular Cali doesn’t.
Right, stand by for confusion. There are two models available, the six-metre long 600, and the 680, which is – that’s right, clever clogs – 6.8 metres long. The 600 is available with two or four berths, while the longer 680 is a strict two-berth. That’s because only the 600 comes with an extra-high top, in which those extra berths (in the form of a dropdown bunk) can be located. So the 600 is the one with the weird fibreglass growth above the windscreen. The 680 is largely identical to a long-wheelbase, high-top Crafter, and while it does without the extra bunk, you do get a much bigger double bed in that extra-long rear section. And a bigger kitchenette, giving you more places to serve the array of burned sausages you’ve cooked outside on a disposable barbecue anyway.
The suspension is pretty good – for a van – rotten roads largely failing to upset the Grand Cali’s composure. The steering, while slow, is at least light and direct, and it changes direction remarkably easily, with surprisingly little body lean. Meanwhile, the gutsy 175bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel means it never feels breathless, and once you get over the sheer size of the thing, the Grand Cali is actually pretty easy to drive, thanks to a
“ONCE YOU GET OVER THE SHEER SIZE OF THE THING, IT’S PRETTY EASY TO DRIVE”
smooth, responsive eight-speed auto, a tight turning circle and a load of driver aids.
Inside, it’s clean, bright and sleek – none of the overwrought textiles and faux wood you’ll find in most camper conversions. At night, ambient lighting creates a boutique hotel vibe. It’s tall, there are lockers without end as well as an 800-litre ‘garage’ beneath the double bed, while a natty touchscreen controls most of the van’s major functions. There are flyscreens and pull-up blinds, touch-sensitive reading lights and a fully functioning kitchen (two-burner hob, a fridge-freezer, sink, folding dining table etc), plus options include a satellite dish and solar panels. To recharge the leisure battery, obvs.
The shower is better than just a token effort – more cramped than at home, but with enough space to turn around and avoid banging your elbows. The same space also contains the toilet, so be tidy in there, people. The main bed is about the size of a normal double, and while the 80mm thick mattress does feel a little skimpy, there’s a neat spring system beneath it to try to make up for that. It’s still on the firm side, mind, so maybe bring some extra blankets and a duvet from home. We didn’t try the upper bed in the 600. Because we have dignity.
Prices haven’t been confirmed, but reckon on a starting price of around £69,000. Yes, ‘ouch’ is what we said, too. Until we looked at the price of equivalent vans from aftermarket conversion companies, none of which look as tasteful or well integrated, but all are similarly costly. OK, being considerably bigger, it’s not as daily usable as the standard Cali, which is what’s always endeared that model to us, but this has been designed with the same care and attention to detail. Beats a caravan hands down.